India captain Virat Kohli explained how youngsters like Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant exhibited such confidence while making their debuts. Pant broke into India’s Test squad in August when India were touring England. After wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik failed to impress with the bat in the first two Tests, Pant was handed his maiden Test cap. In his very first Test innings, he smashed the second delivery he faced for a six over long-on.

Pant also scored his maiden Test century in the fifth and final Test against England. Meanwhile, India have a new teenage sensation in Prithvi Shaw, who’s been the talk of the town ever since he smashed a stylish 134 on debut against the Windies in Rajkot. 18-year old Shaw’s batting has already drawn parallels to India greats such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag after he became the youngest Indian to score a century on debut.

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As India get ready to take on the Windies in the second Test in Hyderabad, skipper Virat Kohli lauded the fearless approach exhibited by the youngsters in his side. He then went on to explain how this new breed of cricketers are capable of handling pressure a lot better when they represent their country on the biggest stage.

IPL plays a big part nowadays: Kohli

“They are already exposed to the environment that an international game would replicate. But there’s always pressure of playing for the country. When you wear that jersey for the first time, wear that cap on the morning of the game, there are always butterflies in your stomach.

I am sure everyone feels that pressure but ya I don’t think it’s as intense as 10-15 years back where you didn’t have exposure to this kind of level of cricket. And then suddenly you are put in a Test match making your debut for India – the toughest thing there could be,” Kohli said during the pre-match press conference.

Kohli also stressed the importance of the IPL and how much of an effect the T20 tournament has on forming players like Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari. He feels the IPL has exposed these youngsters to high-pressure scenarios, which is possibly the reason why they handled pressure well while making their debuts for Team India.

“I agree with the fact that they have played in situations in the IPL where they play in front of so many people that they are not nervous anymore of the big stage. They might have the eagerness and pressure to perform but they are not overawed by the scenario.

I think that’s always going to be an advantage because the guys coming in can be fearless. They can start doing the job for you from game 1 which both these young guys that you mentioned (Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw) and Hanuma as well, have done that straight away. They are supremely confident guys who are coming up,” he said.